Comments on: Letting (Myself) Go

By: Jessie

Jessie — Fri, 07 May 2010 23:39:48 +0000

I taught a yoga class on Tuesday not realizing I had blood on my shirt (Emma took a swan dive down the stairs 10 minutes before I had to leave). The irony is that during class I mentioned the yoga sutra about non-violence while looking like I just threw down in the parking lot.

By: terry

terry — Wed, 05 May 2010 22:45:32 +0000

It’s completely liberating! I think my worn out T shirts represent me!

But I did just go out and buy a navy blue bra with matching underwear. So unlike me.

But I did it.

I love stepping in and out of my comfort zone. That’s what growing old is all about. Daily.

By: Cblooz

Cblooz — Wed, 05 May 2010 20:18:59 +0000

As a couple that are also in our 40′s and feeling the pull of gravity on both our bodies we can share your feelings on this issue.

I don’t obsess too much on this issue but my wife tells me thats because I’m from Maine and we (men from Maine) don’t care anyway. Part of that is true and part of it is just not worth getting that hung up on.

My wife worries more about it but after 4 kids and working hard all week long comfort becomes a bigger desire than having to worry about getting dressed up all the time. The kids will be embarrassed by you either way.

By: rjga13

rjga13 — Wed, 05 May 2010 16:16:56 +0000

I have been through the same phases. When I turned 40, I stopped working. I started wearing make up again. Bought new clothes ans started trying to care what I had on. But at 45, I am already down with that. I try to wear clean clothes (and that is sometimes a struggle). I no longer dress for me or to impress someone else. Now I dress so to not embarrass my teenagers. Haley & I were going to the mall last month. She looked at me and said “Are you really going to wear that?”

By: goofdad

goofdad — Wed, 05 May 2010 15:04:47 +0000

As my beard starts to grey, and my beer belly starts to show more and more (hey, I worked HARD on that beer belly!), I find that I don’t care so much …

If you think back to the starfish parable I told when I started blogging … the starfish doesn’t care what the kid looks like, if he wears sandals or shoes, what kind of car he drives or cell phone he uses. The starfish cares that he got scooped up and taken care of.

You were, unknowingly, there to scoop me up when I needed it. I’m doing my darndest to be there for those around me.

That’s beauty. And you’re beautiful!

–

I nominated you for a blog award … just for the fun of it.

By: Gale @ Ten Dollar Thoughts

Gale @ Ten Dollar Thoughts — Wed, 05 May 2010 14:49:09 +0000

I think there’s a middle ground. I shower every other day in winter and daily in summer, but I only wash my hair every other day. On the “off days” I pull it back into a tailored, parted ponytail. But I also use those days to sport larger “statement” type earrings. I have a weekend uniform of jeans and ballet flats and jewel-toned scoop tees. It takes only a little more effort than yoga pants or sweats, but I feel a lot nicer. I’m with you on the comfort, though. There are tradeoffs, and you just have to decide where your tipping point is.

By: Elizabeth @ Life in Pencil

Elizabeth @ Life in Pencil — Wed, 05 May 2010 14:04:27 +0000

I wonder how much of this is cultural? Having just returned from Italy, where they take great pride in appearance (not just personal appearance, but aesthetics in general), I couldn’t help but notice how put together EVERYONE looked. Even in my attempts to look pulled together and blend in I somehow managed to look slovenly.

By: Well Read Hostess

Well Read Hostess — Wed, 05 May 2010 13:16:56 +0000

Today if you read WRH, just keep saying to yourself, “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” because I’m totally copying you and writing about this topic today.

p.s. you always look great. Know why? You have a smile that lights up Delco.

By: Anne

Anne — Wed, 05 May 2010 12:42:42 +0000

I know when I’m nervous when I start obsessing over my appearance again. Often it’s when I head back to my home of origin, and am faced with old insecurities that I’m afraid to “let myself go”.